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Butterfly rash without its wings?

I hope someone might ease my frustration. I currently present with almost every hallmark symptom of lupus... HOWEVER, my family doc will not test because what I see as the butterfly rash, he says can't be because it doesn't extend all the way across my cheeks. But the bridge of my nose always looks sunburned. To make matters worse, he's convinced that without that visible marker, it "most likely" isn't lupus therefore doesn't warrant testing!!! I know that sounds ludicrous, but it's true. Please, any info is so appreciated! ♥

hi steph, it is accepted amongst sufferers that not all of us get the butterfly rash.
i am one of the people who has never had the rash.
and i have had lupus confirmed for 4 years, and suffered many years more.

Goodness..Not another uneducated, uninformed, ignorant doctor. These guys just make me weary!!!
By all means, get a second opinion. My Butterfly rash did not extend to both cheeks, it was mostly on the bridge of my nose and just a bit on the right cheek only. That was enough for my doctor to suspect Lupus and to send me for further testing.
As Steve mentioned, many Lupus patients NEVER get the butterfly rash. It is only ONE of the 11-14 criteria listed for a Lupus diagnosis and patients are not required to have all of the criteria. I believe that 4 of the 11/14 are all that is necessary and those four DO NOT have to include the butterfly rash. And the criteria for the butterfly rash states that it "may" extend across both cheeks. Meaning, it does not have to!!
Perhaps you can take the criteria for diagnosing Lupus to this doctor to educate him and then demand that he run the appropriate tests in order to determine if you do or do not have Lupus.
Here are the 11 criteria (remember, you need only have 4 of the 11)
There is no single blood test for diagnosing lupus. Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) is diagnosed using 11 criteria.

1. Face rash, which doctors call a malar rash, that is butterfly shaped and covers the bridge of the nose and may spread across the cheeks

2. Scaly rash, called a discoid rash, which appears as raised, scaly patches